Quick Gnocchi Shepherds Pie (Printable)

Crispy gnocchi topping seasoned meat and vegetable filling creates a comforting weeknight dinner ready in under an hour.

# What You Need:

→ Meat & Proteins

01 - 1 lb ground beef or lamb
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 carrots, peeled and diced
05 - 1 cup frozen peas
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pantry & Sauces

07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Gnocchi Topping

13 - 1 lb store-bought potato gnocchi
14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
16 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add onion and carrots, sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.
04 - Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add ground beef or lamb. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
06 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
07 - Add broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in peas. Cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
08 - Arrange cooked gnocchi evenly over the meat mixture. Drizzle with melted butter, sprinkle with cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
09 - Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The gnocchi topping gets golden and crispy in spots while staying pillowy soft underneath, creating texture that mashed potatoes just cant achieve
  • Everything happens in one skillet, meaning less cleanup and more time on the couch where you actually want to be
  • The British-Italian fusion sounds fancy but comes together with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
02 -
  • Dont overcook the gnocchi in the boiling water or it will fall apart when you try to arrange it on top
  • Make sure your skillet is truly ovenproof before starting, or transfer everything to a baking dish before baking
  • The filling should be slightly saucy before adding the gnocchi since it will thicken more in the oven
03 -
  • Use an ovenproof skillet with high sides to prevent any bubbling over in your oven
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded, it melts so much better

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